I missed this one but I was at the Hammerhead at Camp Blanding. They used lifeguards on paddle boards with a I/O ski boat for a shuttle boat. The shuttle boat driver drove though the swimmers to bring a novice swimmer back to the dock. Bad form and he went around after that.

Hi David. We've only helped this organization with their ocean swims. I think we started helping back in 2005 (that's my oldest t-shirt) and haven't missed a year yet. As you say they do other events but I suspect the ocean event is the most challenging, both to the swimmers and the escorts, so we get involved. Most years it's relatively calm in August but we have have had a few rain squalls & capsizes - mostly crash landings onto the beach as we come ashore after the event is done!

Yes, ungraceful sounds right! With the waters so warm its a great time of year to play in the waves, particularly for some that don't paddle in the Atlantic often. Usually results in a gentle yet quick rollover and short swim (or just stand up if its still low tide!). And having our group nearby provides a nice margin of safety.

Another reason to paddle forward? Kind of nice to sort of know, you know, what you might be heading into. Great video and the comments from the coaches (helpless parents) are priceless. Makes one wonder if the rowers are all wearing earbuds!Greg

(hijacking this thread a bit further) - The rowers around here seem to be mostly considerate, I typically will paddle away from them in any case. However, when I lived in Kirkland (near Seattle) Washington, I would often paddle through 'The Cut' (part of the 'canal' connecting Lake Washington and Puget Sound). The Montlake Cut is a very narrow section - about 1/2 mile long, with walls on both sides. Big boats navigate in the middle, small (kayaks) on the sides. When paddling a kayak through this stretch - you not only have to be aware of the wake from the big boats, but the 'missiles' coming up from behind you - at twice your speed, you looking forward and 'them' looking behind. Never hit - but a few close calls. Andy

The "eights" got no real excuse. The Cox'n looks foward but they often get fixed on the first rower. The 4's have another excuse. I'm thinking this whole thing was youth and inexperinece that started with the organizers. There is a reason rowing events are held in open water with straight lanes......and not narrow creeks with rough edges.